NEW HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 3, 2012--
Covidien
(NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today
announced that researchers have developed a new method to measure the
physical strain placed on surgeons while performing minimally invasive
surgery. By analyzing surgeons’ motions in the operating room,
researchers will gain new insights into proper postures, techniques and
body angles that should influence the development of new ergonomically
designed minimally invasive surgery instruments.

Donald R. Peterson, PhD, MS, University of Connecticut Health Center
Biodynamics Laboratory in the Division of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, presented the new criteria during an oral presentation1
(Abstract ET008) at the annual meeting of the Society of American
Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), held earlier this
month.

“The widespread acceptance of minimally invasive surgical procedures has
led to an increase in their popularity and demand. To successfully
perform laparoscopic surgery, surgeons may have to position their bodies
at unnatural angles and perform repetitive actions with their hands,
which may cause strain and fatigue,” Dr. Peterson said. “We have now
established a method to assess the biomechanical risks that surgeons
face when performing minimally invasive surgery. This should provide
invaluable information to guide the development and design of new
ergonomic surgical tools.”

The assessment method involves using an opto-electronic motion capture
(OEMC) system to track the surgeon’s movements, technique and posture.
Electrodes are used to record muscle activity and fatigue of the forearm
muscles that control hand movements. Additionally, thin film force
sensors are mounted on the surgical devices to measure grip force, and a
force plate is used to measure the push and pull forces of the surgeon
on the devices.

“Covidien works closely with surgeons to develop devices that not only
improve patient outcomes, but make minimally invasive surgery easier and
safer to perform,” said Paul Hermes, Vice President, Chief Technology
Officer, Covidien Surgical Solutions. “We believe our line of powered
staplers already represents a tremendous leap forward in terms of
surgical device ergonomics. These new findings will allow us to gain
even deeper insights into the biomechanical risks that surgeons face so
we can design even better products in the future.”

ABOUT COVIDIEN

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates
innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers
value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures,
distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product
lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical
Supplies. With 2011 revenue of $11.6 billion, Covidien has 41,000
employees worldwide in more than 65 countries, and its products are sold
in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com
to learn more about our business.